Boarding School Review - Established 2003

Portsmouth Abbey School

5.00 (5 reviews)
285 Cory's Lane Portsmouth RI 02871
Tel: (401) 643-1248
www.portsmouthabbey.org
REQUEST INFO
SAVE SCHOOL

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 350 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $71,935
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $44,980
  • Acceptance rate: 31%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 31
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Portsmouth Abbey School Photo #4
Portsmouth Abbey School Photo #5
Portsmouth Abbey School Photo #6
Portsmouth Abbey School Photo #7
Portsmouth Abbey School Photo #8
Portsmouth Abbey School Photo #9
Portsmouth Abbey School Photo #10
REQUEST INFO
SAVE SCHOOL

About the School

  • Portsmouth Abbey School is a Catholic, co-educational boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through 12.
  • The school is located on a beautiful 525-acre campus along Narragansett Bay, just a few miles from Newport, RI. For over 90 years, the Abbey`s liberal arts curriculum has prepared students for lives of significance and purpose.
  • This education is grounded in the Western intellectual tradition and teaches students to solve problems, communicate ideas, work together, and innovate.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 350 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $71,935
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $44,980
  • Acceptance rate: 31%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 31
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Top Rankings

Portsmouth Abbey School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 269 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Student Test Scores
High average SAT scores
Student Test Scores
High SSAT scores

School Overview

2026 School Data
Portsmouth Abbey School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12
8-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Religious Affiliation
Catholic
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1926
1906
Campus Size
525 acres
125 acres

Student Body

Enrollment
350 students
320 students
% Students of Color
18%
27%
% International Students
21%
21%
% Students Boarding
75%
65%
Average SAT Score
1400
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)
1260 - 1453
-
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes
Yes
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Weekly
Weekly
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Casual
Average Class Size
12 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
85%
73%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Accreditations
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
# of AP Courses Offered
21
18
Courses
Art HistoryBiology
Calculus ABCalculus BC
ChemistryChinese Language and Culture
Computer ScienceEnglish Language
English LiteratureFrench Language and Culture
LatinModern European History
Music TheoryPhysics C
Spanish Language and CultureSpanish Literature
StatisticsStudio Art
United States History

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size
$48 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$71,935
$71,500
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$44,980
$40,000
% Students on Financial Aid
40%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$38,000
$25,000

Request Information

Step 1 of 2
Step 2 of 2

Admissions

Application Deadline
Jan. 31
Jan. 15
Average Percentile SSAT
72%
-
Acceptance Rate
31%
64%
Director of Admissions
Brendan McGrail
Associate Director of Admissions
Amelia Tracy

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
19
17
Sports
BaseballBasketball
Cross CountryDance
EquestrianField Hockey
FootballGolf
Ice HockeyLacrosse
SailingSoccer
SoftballSquash
TennisTrack
Track and FieldVolleyball
Wrestling
Colors
Black, Red
School Mascot
Raven

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
16
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Classics ClubMarch for Life Group
Scriptorium


Arts and Music Programs:
Abbey SingersPro Deo
Study Club


Other Activities:
Christian Community ServiceCultural Awareness Club
Debate ClubRed Key
The BeaconThe Gregorian
The RavenTLC
Wilderness ClubWJHD

College Matriculation

10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
Boston College
16
Georgetown University
13
College of the Holy Cross
9
New York University
8
The George Washington University
8
Brown University
6
Cornell University
6
Johns Hopkins University
6
Northwestern University
6
United States Naval Academy
5
View Matriculation Data

School Notes

  • Portsmouth Abbey School helps young men and women grow in knowledge and grace.  As a Benedictine boarding and day school committed to excellence, we embrace the Catholic faith while nurturing reverence for God and the human person, love of learning, and commitment to community life.
  • Part of our mission is to live in a community that values each of its members, and our similarities and differences. This mission enables our students to better understand themselves and the world around them. Our students thrive in this environment and take full advantage of the spiritual, athletic, artistic, and service opportunities that exist on our campus and beyond. Our sense of community is strong, vibrant, and easy to feel, although sometimes challenging to put into words.
  • We celebrate our achievements, and we offer help to those in need in an effort to make this a more gracious community. We invite you to learn more about Portsmouth Abbey School on the following pages and on our website, but most importantly please come and see it for yourself.
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Christopher Buckley - writer and political satirist; former Managing Editor of Esquire Magazine; chief speech writer for Vice President George H. W. Bush; author of Thank You for Smoking
    • John E. Pepper, Jr. - Chairman of the Walt Disney Company
    • Robert F. Kennedy - U.S. Senator from New York; U.S. Attorney General
    • Edward M. Kennedy - U.S. Senator from Massachusetts
    • Peter M. Flanigan - Assistant to President Richard Nixon
    • Benedict Fitzgerald - American screenwriter - In Cold Blood, Wise Blood; co-wrote Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin screenplay for The Passion of the Christ
    • Charlie Day - actor, writer, executive producter - It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
    • William Ruckelshaus - first Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; former FBI director and U.S. Deputy Attorney General
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
REQUEST FREE INFORMATION

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Portsmouth Abbey School cost?
Portsmouth Abbey School's tuition is approximately $71,935 for boarding students and $44,980 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Portsmouth Abbey School?
The acceptance rate of Portsmouth Abbey School is 31%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%.
Who are famous alumni from Portsmouth Abbey School?
Portsmouth Abbey School famous alumni include: Christopher Buckley, John E. Pepper, Jr., Robert F. Kennedy, Edward M. Kennedy, Peter M. Flanigan, Benedict Fitzgerald, Charlie Day and William Ruckelshaus.
What sports does Portsmouth Abbey School offer?
Portsmouth Abbey School offers 19 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Sailing, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Volleyball and Wrestling.
What is Portsmouth Abbey School's ranking?
Portsmouth Abbey School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High average SAT scores and High SSAT scores.
When is the application deadline for Portsmouth Abbey School?
The application deadline for Portsmouth Abbey School is Jan. 31.

Student & Alumni Reviews

Review
Description

Class of 2017
5.00
Saint Johns College
Portsmouth Abbey is very different in that the community of the school is very close-knit due to its size so you really do get to know everyone there. It’s also catholic so weekly mass as. . .

Class of 2016
5.00
Bowdoin College
One thing that makes us unique from other schools is our religious aspect. We were founded by a Benedictine Catholic monastery that still is active, and it influences campus life. We have mass every Sunday. . .

Class of 2013
5.00
Ohio State University
Portsmouth Abbey, located on the gorgeous Rhode Island coast overlooking Narragansett Bay is alone in its communal culture. While other boarding schools offer the same aspects of community, I maintain that Portsmouth Abbey creates a. . .
Show more reviews (2 reviews)
Submit Review for Portsmouth Abbey School Earn $20 by submitting your alumni review!

Recent Articles

Teacher Office Hours and Academic Help at Boarding Schools
Teacher Office Hours and Academic Help at Boarding Schools
Explore how boarding school students access teachers, office hours, evening tutoring, and academic support. Learn what parents should ask about availability, supervision, scheduling conflicts, and help when students struggle academically.
Boarding School Academic Schedule Flexibility
Boarding School Academic Schedule Flexibility
Discover how boarding schools handle full classes, scheduling conflicts, waitlists, and alternative courses. Learn what parents should ask to protect academic progress, graduation requirements, and college preparation before enrolling their child.
How Much Free Time Do Boarding Students Get?
How Much Free Time Do Boarding Students Get?
How much free time do boarding students really have? Learn how to evaluate schedules, homework, weekend obligations, activity requirements, and everyday routines before choosing a school that fits your child.

Featured Schools

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 350 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $71,935
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $44,980
  • Acceptance rate: 31%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 31
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
School location map

Contact Portsmouth Abbey School about admissions and next steps.

REQUEST INFO

Most Popular Articles

Corporal Punishment in U.S. Boarding Schools: 2025 Update
Corporal Punishment in U.S. Boarding Schools: 2025 Update
 Least Expensive Tuition Boarding Schools
Least Expensive Tuition Boarding Schools
 How Much Boarding School Costs in 2026: Full Breakdown
How Much Boarding School Costs in 2026: Full Breakdown
 School Mottoes
School Mottoes
 A Day in the Life of a Boarding School Student
A Day in the Life of a Boarding School Student

More Articles

School Life
Archive
Choosing a School
Why Boarding School
Admissions

Quick Links

Find:
Search:
Use:
View: